Well, well, well...I'M BACK!

Yes I'm back with a new look and new name! I took a hiatus because I've been doing so much that I should've written about but didn't, so now I have to play catch up.

Beginning Monday I'll have plenty to talk about. Starting in September I'll have my section entitled, "Who Is S/He and What Is S/He to You?", which focuses on people you may or may not have heard of who are making moves, and my usual tidbits and observations.

Have a good weekend!

P.S. Congrats to Judge Sonia Sotomayor on being the first Latina appointed to the Supreme Court.
AZUCAR!

OMG...HAS IT REALLY BEEN THAT LONG!?

So much has happened since I've posted that I don't know where to begin (actually yes I do)...
WE HAVE OUR FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT!!!!

Starting in March I'll be back with more observations, interviews, and plenty of pix.

Until then...

See ya when I see ya!

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING...PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!!

There is strength in numbers, the people have elected Barack Hussein Obama President of the United States of America.

I am so overwhelmed right now. This is what our parents and grandparents worked so hard for, the sit ins, the marches, the abuse. This is what Martin, Malcolm, Marcus, Medgar and countless others worked hard to see come to fruition. We have no excuses when we say something can't be done. Little children can be anything they want to be as long as they believe.

I am proud to say our next President of the United States is BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!!!

EXCLUSIVE WEDNESDAYS - MIA AMBER!

Happy Wednesday!

This fall I'll be profiling people you may or may not know about and I'm calling it Exclusive Wednesdays. My first subject is a model, actress, producer (is there anything that she doesn't do?), and my good buddy. Some of you may know her from Ashley Stewart and from the cult movie classic "Road Trip". Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mia Amber!

Mia, thanks for sitting down with me for this Q & A. Tell everyone how you got started in the business called show.
I started off as an intern for Geraldo Rivera's, "Geraldo Specials." After college, where I majored in communications I parlayed an internship at the Ricki Lake Show into a career as a producer. Along the way I have also worked on numerous productions including Russell Simmons' HBO Def Comedy Jam, Its Showtime at the Apollo, VH-1 Hard Rock Live and most recently I served as the Senior Booking Producer for Star Jones on Court TV.

That sounds like a lot of fun, and a lot of work. Did you ever feel discriminated against in the workplace?
I have never felt any discrimination. Actually I was somewhat unique at some productions due to my ethnicity and my physical stature. For the most part my ideas were well received and nurtured or developed when they needed to be.

Tell us about your transition from behind the camera producing to being in front of the camera.
While producing at Ricki Lake I auditioned for the role of Rhonda in the DreamWorks feature film, "Road Trip." I landed the role and was subsequently offered the cover of Belle magazine and I was bitten by the modeling bug. I was still producing and I was a size 24. Up until that film and photo shoot, I'd never thought there was a place for me in the industry in front of the camera. I visited agencies and I was told that if I was serious about modeling I'd have to get down to a size 20. I got down to an 18 and started submitting myself for work.

Who were your influences in the modeling world?
I have always been a fan of Lisa Scott. I used to collect her Belle covers. I consider her and Sharon Quinn industry mentors and friends. I also have been a fan of the legendary Gail O'Neill since I can remember. No matter where she was on location or no matter what she was wearing she always owned it and looked like she was born to be there. Tyra Banks is also a great influence on me. We're both actors, models and producers. She has transitioned into a brand and that is also one of my goals.

What are some of the projects that you’ve done where people may recognize you?
I have been blessed to be an Ashley Stewart campaign model for the past four years. I have also had the pleasure of working with Curvation for Queen Latifah, Monif C., Project Runway, The View, Today and many others.

MIA FOR ASHLEY STEWART:


People think that the world of modeling is easy, but those who are in the plus modeling industry have a different perspective.
Being a model is not easy. I tell women all the time that it's not like it is in the movies where the photographers tell you exactly what to do and often times it's definitely not as glamorous! It's hard work and you have to prepare for it like any other job you would want to make a career out of. If you're interested in getting started I've blogged about it on www.myspace.com/Mia_Amber .

A lot of aspiring models want a hook up but there is no such thing...there's no getting around doing the work and being prepared for your own journey.There has NEVER been a time in my life that I have wanted to give up on my dreams of modeling acting or producing. There are definitely times where I want to pull my hair out but I never want to quit!

You’re currently the spokesmodel for Ashley Stewart’s Butterfly Bra collection. What has that experience been like?
I feel quite blessed to have been chosen as the face of the Butterfly Bra campaign. Jill Scott and Ashley Stewart designed the bra with the full figured, ample woman in mind and the nationwide tour we did to promote the bra was a dream come true. I got to meet so many women who had the same issues as I do. I strongly urge women with issues finding a great, affordable bra to log onto http://www.ashleystewart.com/ and take a look at the Butterfly collection.

With everything that you’ve done so far what has been your biggest accomplishment (personal or professional)?
My biggest accomplishment has yet to come. I don't ever want to settle for anything in life. As soon as I conquer a goal it only creates another opportunity for me to reach higher.

Last question: Do you still get recognized for “Road Trip”?

I get recognized from Road Trip just about everyday and most amazing is that sometimes my voice gets recognized before my face does! Recently I was swarmed by a group of guys visiting from Australia. It's amazing how many people you can reach with the telling of a story. I'm truly thankful.

Check out Mia at her myspace page: www.myspace.com/mia_amber.

More pix of Mia...

LATARIAN MILTON STRIKES AGAIN!

Happy Monday!!!!

Latarian Milton is the 7 year old in Florida who took his mother's car for a joyride. He said he did it because "doing bad things is fun" and he wanted to do "hood rat stuff with friends."

Well it seems Latarian has struck again, four more times to be exact. Latarian stole the keys to his grandma's 2006 Durango again! After Latarian stole the car, he drove down the street, turned into Costco, hit two parked cars, got back onto the street and hit two more parked cars before pulling into the Wal-Mart parking lot. He finally hit a sign and then drove into a ditch. His grandmother's Durango is totaled and Latarian has no remorse!

When asked why he stole his grandmother's SUV again, Latarian said, "Cause I wanted to do it. My friend was in the car with me. I took it on a high-speed chase!" And what does he think about the people whose cars he hit? "I think nothing about them!"

Check out the video:



Ok...real talk here. My first reaction was that his mother & grandmother need to take shifts beating his behind. The more I thought about it I realized that this little boy has a serious problem. The question is what can his family do to help him before he really falls through the cracks. Little Black boys have it so hard and if he doesn't get the help he so desperately needs society will not be kind to him. His grandmother can keep making excuses but in the real world it will not wash.

I truly hope he gets whatever help he needs to deal with whatever is going on.

The Unveiling of “Michelle Obama’s Makeover For America”

A controversial bust designed in the likeness of Michelle Obama was unveiled yesterday in NYC.
On his website, the artist, Daniel Edwards, described his artwork as

"an accessorized mannequin bust of Obama that foregoes the conventional pearl necklace, and provides for her a “signature look” to take to Washington. “The goal is to create a look for Michelle Obama that eliminates excessive comparisons to Jackie Kennedy.”




WTH?! I'm all for artistic freedom but I am a little offended by the bust. Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, even Barbara Bush were depicted as elegant and classic, and this is the best he can come up with? It doesn't even look like her! And what's with the pick in her head!?

Sigh...

Ron Jones...Resting In Peace

Last week I received an email from a friend of mine on our college website regarding a friend who went to school with us. I clicked on the link and it said:

"Parents Grateful For Arrest in 18-Year-Old Cold Case"
COURTESY OF WWW.WUSA9.COM

A life of promise snatched away 18 years ago, is a loss still fresh in the hearts and minds of the parents of Ron Jones, Jr.



"You take anybody's life and you don't know how it affects the rest of the family, your friends," said the murder victims father, Ron Jones, Sr.

"It takes a part of your heart out that no matter what happens. you'll never have that part again. It's hard," said his wife, Deedra.

The couple has longed for closure and hoped for an arrest in the murder of their only son. DC Police say they have solved the cold case that has haunted the 22-year-old victim's family for almost two decades.

"I wanted to be strong for my family, and being in the field at that time, I thought I was standing up for them. When he told me that they had actually made an arrest, I was glad I was sitting down because it really overcame me," said Jones, Sr.

"There are no words to express how grateful we are for what they've done. I mean, there are no words. Thank you...thank you," said the victim's mother.

It was July 13, 1990 when a gunman opened fire on the car the police officer's son was riding in with three friends near 5th Street and Massachusetts Avenue, NW The road rage incident left DC homicide detectives with few clues except a composite drawing of the killer.

Forty-year-old John Brugada Holmes was arrested. He had been serving time for on a federal fraud 2004 conviction when police charged him with 2nd degree murder. Detectives Rita McCoy and Oliver Garvey solved the cold case.

"The detectives who work for me put in the effort and kept at it. We don't forget. We don't forget any of our victims ," said Lt. Michael Farish, Superintendent of the Detectives Division.

Jones, who was a star quarterback at Norfolk State University, had just graduated. He had been accepted into Howard University's Law School when the shooting took his life and destroyed his parents' hopes for his future. They will be in the courtroom when Holmes is arraigned on the murder charge.

"I don't know how I will make it through that, but I will. I have to. I've waited for this. I've prayed for this," said Mrs. Jones.

"He was a great kid, you know. I think that's what keeps us going. He was a good kid," said Jones, Sr.

I sat here reading the article with tears in my eyes. I met Ron as a sophomore during basketball intramural games and he was polite, funny, and yes, fine. Underneath the looks was a highly intelligent young man who always gave you advice when you needed it.

I was in DC the summer he was killed, and I can remember it like it was yesterday. My roommate & I were going out when she got the call and needless to say we were both in shock. Why would someone take someone's life over some foolishness?

Ron's death left me angry and hurt because he had such promise and to have it gone in the blink of an eye just didn't make sense to me. It did, however, bond me with people who are still my friends to this day, because we collectively grieved for him.

I hope the person ( he's not worth naming as far as I'm concerned) suffers for ruining someone's life & his family's life, and I hope that Ron is resting in peace now.

Ron, you are still missed, more than you know.